Give Me One Good Reason

Album: Take Off Your Pants And Jacket (2001)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Mom and Dad they quite don't understand it
    All the kids they laugh as if they planned it
    Why do girls want to pierce their nose
    And walk around in torn pantyhose?


    This is referring to how kids will change themselves to be liked or accepted, but blink-182 makes a strong point that there's no good reason to conform to your peers, and no matter how hard parents try, they just can't understand today's youth. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Gabe - Borger, TX
  • Blink guitarist Tom DeLonge tapped into his own experience of feeling like an outcast when he wrote the song. He recalled: "I felt like I was the only one in high school who liked my kind of music. Punk rock was only listened to by me, and a couple of skinhead friends. Anti-racist skins. Since 7th grade, that's all I ever listened to. Punk rock to me is about being who you are and hating everyone else. Luckily there happens to be some music to go along with the feeling. Never ever try to be like the popular kids. F--k them. Regardless of what people say, I've been a punker since 7th grade, when most of our fans were in kindergarten. So never conform, love who you are. F--kers."
  • Although the songs on Take Off Your Pants And Jacket finds the band revisiting the problems they faced in their youth, the themes are also relatable to adults. Blink bassist Mark Hoppus told MH-18 magazine in 2001: "The things that happen to you in high school are the same things that happen your entire life. You can fall in love at 60, you can get rejected at 80."
  • This was blink-182's first #1 album, topping the charts in the US, Canada, and Germany.

Comments: 1

  • Drama from San Angelo, Txit about thw willingness to be a punk and not car about what everyone else thinks
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?